Herbivore feeding preference corroborates optimal defense theory for specialized metabolites within plants

Numerous plants protect themselves from attackers by using specialized metabolites. The biosynthesis of these deterrent, often toxic metabolites is costly, as their synthesis diverts energy and resources on account of growth and development. How plants diversify investments into growth and defense is explained by the optimal defense theory. The central prediction of the optimal defense theory is that plants maximize growth and defense by concentrating specialized metabolites in tissues that are decisive for fitness. To date, supporting physiological evidence relies on the correlation between plant metabolite presence and animal feeding preference. Here, we use glucosinolates as a model to examine the effect of changes in chemical defense distribution on feeding preference. Taking advantage of the uniform glucosinolate distribution in transporter mutants, we show that high glucosinolate accumulation in tissues important to fitness protects them by guiding larvae of a generalist herbivore to feed on other tissues. Moreover, we show that the mature leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana supply young leaves with glucosinolates to optimize defense against herbivores. Our study provides physiological evidence for the central hypothesis of the optimal defense theory and sheds light on the importance of integrating glucosinolate biosynthesis and transport for optimizing plant defense.

Acropetal and basipetal cardenolide transport in Erysimum cheiranthoides (wormseed wallflower)

Plant specialized metabolites are often subject to within-plant transport and have tissue-specific distribution patterns. Among plants in the Brassicaceae, the genus Erysimum is unique in producing not only glucosinolates but also cardenolides as defense against insect herbivory. Ten cardenolides were detected with varying abundance in different tissues of Erysimum cheiranthoides (wormseed wallflower). As is predicted by the optimal defense theory, cardenolides were most abundant in young leaves and reproductive tissues. The lowest concentrations were observed in senescing leaves and roots. Crosses between wildtype E. cheiranthoides and a mutant line with an altered cardenolide profile showed that the seed cardenolide phenotype is determined entirely by the maternal genotype. Prior to the development of the first true leaves, seedling cotyledons also had the maternal cardenolide profile. Hypocotyl grafting experiments showed that the root cardenolide profile is determined entirely by the aboveground plant genotype. In further grafting experiments, there was no evidence of cardenolide transport into the leaves, but a mixed cardenolide profile was observed in the stems and inflorescences of plants that had been grafted at vegetative and flowering growth stages, respectively. Together, these results indicate that E. cheiranthoides leaves are a site of cardenolide biosynthesis and therefore also the plant tissue that is most likely to be expressing the relevant biosynthetic genes.

POLITIK OFENSIF AMERIKA SERIKAT TERHADAP SIKAP DEFENSIF IRAN: DARI PERANG PROKSI HINGGA DOMINASI

ABSTRACT This article describes the conflict between the United States and Iran in the form of a proxy war taking place in Syria and Yemen. The conflict culminated in the attack from US against Iran on January 3, 2020 in Iraq. The proxy war that took place between US and Iran, the plan of the US when cornered by Iran, and Iran’s response to the actions of the US will be explain in this paper. This study uses Offense-Defense theory as a means of analyzing the two countries. The method used in this research is descriptive analytical. The research concludes that the US and Iran are involved in proxy wars in Syria and Yemen. In Syria, the US stands as a supporter of government groups. Meanwhile, Iran stands as a group supporting the government. In Yemen, the US stands as a supporter of the government. Meanwhile, Iran stands as a supporter of supporters. The series of proxy wars led to an escalation due to the conflict suffered by the US. The White House then killed Mayor General Qassem Soleimani, who is an influential general in Iran, for being the actor behind the failure of their plan. Iran then responded with attacks on US military bases in Iraq. The reply is also an important concern for the US to increase security in its region. Keywords: conflict culminated; proxy war; offense-defense; Qassem Soleimani. ABSTRAK Artikel ini menjelaskan tentang konflik antara Amerika Serikat dan Iran dalam bentuk perang proksi yang terjadi di Suriah dan Yaman. Kulminasi konflik tersebut berupa serangan dari AS terhadap Iran pada tanggal 3 Januari 2020 di Irak. Perang proksi yang terjadi antara AS-Iran, rencana AS ketika tersudutkan oleh Iran, dan respons Iran terhadap tindakan AS akan dipaparkan dalam tulisan ini. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori ofensif-defensif sebagai sarana untuk menganalisis konflik kedua negara. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskriptif analitis. Adapun hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa AS dan Iran terlibat perang proksi di Suriah dan Yaman. Di Suriah, AS berdiri sebagai pendukung kelompok oposisi pemerintah. Sedangkan Iran berdiri sebagai kelompok pendukung pemerintah. Di Yaman, AS berdiri sebagai pendukung pemerintah. Sedangkan Iran berdiri sebagai pendukung oposisi. Serangkaian perang proksi tersebut menimbulkan eskalasi konflik akibat kekalahan yang diderita oleh AS. Pihak Gedung Putih kemudian membunuh Mayor Jenderal Qassem Soleimani yang merupakan jenderal berpengaruh di Iran karena dianggap sebagai aktor di balik kegagalan rencana mereka. Iran kemudian merespons dengan serangan ke basis militer AS di Irak. Balasan tersebut sekaligus menjadi atensi penting bagi AS untuk meningkatkan keamanan di wilayahnya. Kata kunci: kulminasi konflik; perang proksi; teori ofensif-defensif; Qassem Soleimani.

The Strategy of The Republic of Indonesian Government in Dealing with Covid-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Total War Strategy

The Covid-19 pandemic demands the Indonesian Government to act against the various impacts caused through various strategies and efforts. The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic is very fast, resulting in many casualties, not only the wider community but also health workers who carry out tasks throughout the country. The existence of the Covid-19 pandemic has also affected the political, economic and almost all sectors of life, including defense. In order to discuss the problem of the Covid-19 Pandemic, supporting theories are used, namely strategy theory, pandemic theory, universal defense theory and universal war strategy theory. The method used in the analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic is a qualitative descriptive phenomenology, that is, with the existing phenomena regarding Covid-19 and qualitatively explaining the data obtained from literature studies to gain an understanding of strategies for dealing with it. The results of the analysis found that there were various supporting factors and obstacles to handling efforts, implementing strategies, among others, to increase understanding of Covid-19, then preventive steps by using the next application of governance for handling Covid-19 and increasing a strong community superstructure. The aim of the strategy undertaken is to inhibit the spread and countermeasures from a Total War Strategy perspective.

Herbivore feeding behavior validates optimal defense theory for specialized metabolites within plants

Numerous plants protect themselves from attackers using specialized metabolites. The biosynthesis of these deterrent, often toxic metabolites is costly, as their synthesis diverts energy and resources on account of growth and development. How plants diversify investments into growth and defense is explained by the optimal defense theory. The central prediction of the optimal defense theory is that plants maximize growth and defense by concentrating specialized metabolites in tissues that are decisive for fitness. To date, supporting physiological evidence merely relies on the correlation between plant metabolite distribution and animal feeding preference. Here, we use glucosinolates as a model to examine the effect of changes in chemical defense distribution on actual feeding behavior. Taking advantage of the uniform glucosinolate distribution in transporter mutants, we show that high glucosinolate accumulation in tissues important to fitness protects them by guiding larvae of a generalist herbivore to feed on other tissues. Moreover, we show that mature leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana supply young leaves with glucosinolates to optimize defense against herbivores. Our study provides physiological evidence for the central hypothesis of the optimal defense theory and sheds light on the importance of integrating glucosinolate biosynthesis and transport for optimizing plant defense.

Interpersonal Wishes and Fears with Regard to Internalized Attachment Figures: Differing Focus of Two Case Formulation Methods that use SASB

This commentary is organized in parallel with Westerman’s (2021b) comparison to include focus on (1) the formulation methods used by IRT and Interpersonal Defense Theory, and then (2) their treatment implications. In each major section, comments center first on comparison of the approaches in general, and then turn to a focus on the details of Sharon’s case. In sum, we wish to underscore the need for continued empirical work in both IRT and Interpersonal Defense Theory traditions as ways to advance our field. We see each method as offering a different scope and focal areas of concern. With a mind toward the advancement of research and application along both lines of thought, our commentary provides an overview of how we see areas of alignment, divergence, and their potential meaning for theory and practice. The two methods share a great deal in terms of assumptive worldviews, prioritization of relational material, and even specific measurement methodology (SASB). Where the methods diverge, we believe it is primarily because they seek answers to different kinds of questions.

Philosophical Considerations and Research Ideas About Comparing the Two Approaches: Messer’s Comments Point the Way Forward

In his commentary, Stanley Messer (2021) posed the question of whether it is possible to evaluate the relative merits of different case formulation approaches to psychotherapy. He went on to maintain, based on the pragmatic theory of truth, that it is possible to compare different case formulation approaches, and pointed to a program of research that he and his collaborators conducted as an example for possible future research (Collins Messer, 1991; Holland, Roberts, Messer, 1998; Messer, Tishby, Spillman, 1992; Tishby Messer, 1995). In this reply, we express our appreciation for Messer’s remarks, with which we agree in large measure, and attempt to highlight and build upon some of the points he made. We discuss Dewey’s (1896) classic critique of the reflex arc concept to point out other ways the philosophical perspective of pragmatism supports the view that different approaches to therapy are not incommensurate. We also offer a number of suggestions for future research comparing psychotherapy based on Interpersonal Defense Theory and IRT, or any two case formulation approaches to therapy. At many points, our suggestions follow along the lines of Messer’s research. We also emphasize the value of case formulation-based studies, not only with regard to research comparing approaches to treatment, but for investigating other issues about therapy as well.